The General

Director: Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman

1926 / 78min / 4K DCP

Keaton’s engineer Johnnie Gray is another of his big-hearted little guys, rejected by the Confederate Army, though when the Union tries to make off with his train, runt Johnnie shows his mettle in the most incredible sustained chase sequence in all of silent comedy. Wall-to-wall with elaborate, antic gags, though also marked by a quiet sense of pastoral beauty that had previously been given little outlet.

“While shooting The General, the locals and crew played baseball together every Sunday. Keaton was apparently very good. It’s not surprising that such a virtuosic physical performer, who did all of his own stunts, would be an excellent athlete. But his eyes seem to tell a different story. To me they always appear a bit hapless and sad, even when his characters persevere.” —Series curator Genevieve Yue

Distributor: Cohen Film Collection

Part of Trains: Long Distance Passages